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Shi Gao (石膏), gypsum, is a principal mineral for clearing intense heat. It drains fire from the Lung and Stomach, relieves high fever and great thirst, and (calcined) is applied topically for sores and burns.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Gypsum Fibrosum
Common English Name
Gypsum
Taste
Acrid, sweet
Temperature
Very cold
Channels Entered
Lung, Stomach
Actions & Functions
- Clears heat and drains fire (Lung and Stomach)
- Relieves high fever, irritability and great thirst
- (Calcined) clears heat and promotes healing of sores and burns topically
Indications
High fever with profuse sweating, great thirst and a flooding pulse; Lung heat with cough and wheezing; and Stomach fire with headache, toothache and swollen gums.
Dosage
15-60 g, decocted first (crushed).
Common Combinations
With Zhi Mu (Bai Hu Tang) for blazing yang-ming heat; with Ma Huang and Xing Ren for Lung heat wheezing.
Cautions & Contraindications
Very cold; avoid in deficiency-cold of the Stomach and Spleen and where there is no genuine heat.